Controller for self-starters for engines.



R. H. HASSLER. GONTROLLER FOR SELF STARTERS FOR ENGINES.

APPLICATION FILED 11017.23, 1912 1 1 1 1 1 50, Patented Sept. 22, 1914.

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R. H. HASSLER. CONTROLLER FOR SELF STARTERS FOR ENGINES.

APPLICATION FILED NOV.Z3.1912' I 1 1 1 1,1 50. Patented Sept. 22, 1914.,

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citizen of the United States,

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

Bonner H. HASSLER, or INDIANAPOLIS, INDIA A, ASSIGNOR r Nonnvxn & MARION coMrANY, or INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA, A CORPORATION or INDIANA.

CONTROLLER FOR SELF-STARTERS FOR ENGINES.

V Specification of Letters Iatent. Application filed November 23, 1912. Serial No.

Patented Sept. 22, 1914. 733,055.

To all whom it may concern: I Be it known that I, ROBERT H. HASSLER, a

residing at Indlanapolis, in the county of Marion and State of Indiana, have invented a new and useful Controller for Self-Starters for Engines, of which the following is a specifica- Y frequently started and stopped and is often ;left standing at night with the lights burning, 'as while the owner is at the tion.

In the operation of automobiles having an electric lighting system supplied from a storage battery which is charged by the generator action of a dynamo-electric machine driven by the sameengine which drives the automobile, especially if the dynamo-eleotrio machine 'is also arranged to act as an engine-starting motor energized by current from'the battery, considerable difiiculty is experienced in maintaining the battery in proper condition, because the relation between the demands on the battery for starting and lightlngand the generator 0peration of the dynamo-electric machine to charge the battery predeterminable variations.

For instance, when the automobile 1s used in cities, it is theater; under these circumstances the battery is discharging almost continuously, with insufiicient charging on account of the short distances driven, most frequently at low speeds. On the other'hand, when the automobile is used for cross :country travel, for instance, it is often driven at high speed almost continuously during'daylight for a number of days, with perhaps but one or two startings of the engine each day, and is not used at all at night time so :that the lights are seldom or never used; under these conditions there is a tendency for the battery to be overcharged. Moreover, there is always present a tendency, which can be overcome partially but not entirely, for the dynamo-electric machine to produce a higher voltage at high speed. 1

It is the object of my present invention to provide a control system which as far as possible shall obviate the aforesaid difficulties, To this end I have rovided a control is subject to wide and una dynamo-electric speed rises above or'falls below such limits.

allows the the chargspeed runs is high, and parts to be so proportioned that ng of the battery during slower is generally sufiicient. The control switch may be controlled manually for producing the dynamo-electric the engine. There device responsive to by the lighting sys- The accompanying drawings illustrate my invention.

Figure 1 is a plan view of the engine. control switch, and dynamo-electric machine on the front end of the chassis of Fig. 3 is a vertical transverse section through the control switch; Fig. 4 is a plan of the control switch with the cover removed; and Fig. 5 is a vertical longitudinal section through the control switch.

Mounted on the crank-shaft of the internal combustion engine 11 which drives the automobile, or otherwise mechanically connected to such shaft, is the rotating part of machine 12, the speed of which is thus proportional to that of the engine. This dynamo electric machine is shown as surrounding the clutch 9 connecting the engine crank-shaft to the transmission shaft 10, as set forth in my co-pending application Ser. No. 733,056 of even filin date herewith. The field magnets of the dynamo-electric machine 12 are provided with series windings 13 and shunt windings 14, which act cumulatively for motor operation and diiierentially for generator operation. A distributing circuit 15--l6, across which -Fi s. 1 and 5, to permit this.

. the knife blades lights 17 may be suitably connected, as by a hand switch 18, is supplied by a storage battery 19, which at times supplies current to and at times is suplied with current by the dynamo-electric machine 12. V

The connection of the dynamo-electric machine 12, or at least one side thereof, to the battery 19 andthe distributing circuit 15- 16- is controlled by my improved control switch 25,'the other'side' of the dynamo-electric machine conveniently being permanently connected to the battery and distributing circuit. This control switch comprises a vertical shaft 26 carrying three inter-eonnected knifeblade contacts 27,.which cooperate respectively with three pairs of spring contact fingers 28 connected respectively to one side say15 )of the distributing circuit, to one end of the shunt winding 14:, and to one end of the armature and series field circuit of the dynamo-electric machine 12. The knife blades 27 may be moved in either direction from their position in engagement with the spring contacts 28, such contacts being properly bent, as clearly shown in net 49, having its energizing coil connected so that it is responsive to the current taken by the lights 17 as by being in series with one of the supply wires for such lights, may be mounted so that it tends to assist the spring 48 to bias the arm 17 toward the cam 15, the amount of such assistance being roportional to such current. The cam 4.5 is provided with a finger 50 which may be engaged by pivot shaft 52 and provided with an operating arm 53 suitably connected by connecting rods 5 1 to a push-button 55 mounted on the dash board 56 of the automobile and biased by a spring 57 to move the finger51 away from the finger 50. p

In order to start the engine, the pushbutton 55 is pushed, as by the drivers foot, so that the finger 51 acts on the finger 50 to move the shaft 26 and the control switch 25 in a clockwise direction (Fig. 4) to brin the knife blades 27 into engagementwit the contacts 28. This allows current to flow from the battery through the armature an field windings of the dynamo-electric machine 12, and the latter acts as a motor, with the two field windings acting cumulatively, to start the engine. As soon as the engine begins to operate under its own power it picks up in speed and drives the dynamoelectric machine 12 as a generator, whereupon the current through the armature and the series field winding reverses and the series field winding opposes the shunt field winding. The driver may now remove his foot from the push-button 55, as the speed of the engine as soon as it begins to op- --;rate under its own power is sufficient to throw out the weights 39 far enough to hold the knife blades 27 in engagement with the contacts 28; upon such removal the )ring 57 at once moves the finger '51 out of the path of the linger 50 so that there will be no interference with the speed-control action of the control switch. Asthe speed of the engine is increased, the weights 39 tend to fly out farther, and thus move the the shaft 26 is mounted a pinion 30 having a concave tooth-face and meshing with this pinion 30 are the ribs 31 of a circumferentially grooved sleeve 32 loose on a horizontal shaft 33. This shaft 33 is provided with a pinion 3 1 which meshes with a gear wheel on the crank-shaft of the engine 11, so that the speed of the shaft 33 is proportional to that of the engine. A collar 35 is fixed on the shaft 33, and is provided with a pocket around the shaft at the end toward the sliding sleeve 32 to receive a compression spring 36 which tends to push such sleeve to the right (Fig. 5).

A pair of bell-crank levers 37 are pivotally mounted on arms 38 projecting from the collar 35, andare provided on their axially extending arms with weights 39 and on their radially extending arms with gear teeth 40 which mesh with the ribs 31. As the weights 39 fly outward by centrifugalv force upon an increase in speed, they sleeve 32 to the left (Fig. 5) and turn the move the sleeve32 to the left (Fig. 5) shaft 26 and the control switch 25 in a againstthe spring 36, and thus turn the clockwise direction (Fig. 1). This tendpinion 30 and shaft 26 in a tion (Fig. 4:).

Suitably fixed on the shaft 26 is a cam 15, against the periphery of which bears a roller 46 carried by an arm 17. An adjustable spring 48 presses the arm 47 toward the cam 15, and the periphery of such cam is notched where the roller 46 bears when 27 engage the contacts 28 and also, if desired, where such roller bears when such knife blades and contacts are out of'engagement in a counter-clockwise direction (Fig. 4), which disengagement occurs when the speed of the engine 10 is less than a predetermined minimum. An eiectro-magency is opposed by the action 36 and of the spring-pressed roller'etti on the notches of the cam 45; but overcomes such opposition when the speed of the engine becomes sufficiently high, say about 30 miles an hour, and becomes effective to move the knife blades 27 out of engagement with the contacts 28 but on the opposite side thereof from their position when the engine was at rest. While the control switch was closed the dynamo-electric machine 12 operated as a generator to charge the battery 19 and supply the lights 17, the series and shunt field windings being so proportioned that by their differential action the increase clockwise direca finger 51 carried by a vertical of the spring taken by said 1 charging of the battery, but when the speed falls below such value, the control switch on account of the decrease in centrifugal force acting on the weights 39, and charging of the battery recommences.

If the engine speed is decreased below a predetermined minimum, say 10 miles an pushes the collar 32 to the right (Fig. 5) and the shaft 26 in a counter-clockwise direction (Fig. 4) to open the control switch 25. his opening takes place before the voltage decreases below that of the battery. It the lights 17 are being used, the current taken. thereby energizes the electro-m agnet 4:9 and increases the pressure of the roller 40 on the periphery of the cam h1s raises the maximum and lowersthe minimum speed at which the control switch opens.

claim as my invention:

In a motor switch for connecting machine across the battery, manually operated means for closing said switch, and a device responsive to the speed of the engine for causing said switch to open when said engine speed rises above or falls below predetermined maximum and minimum limits.

2. In a motor vehicle, the combination of an internal combustion engine, a dynamoelectric machine mechanically connected with the engine, a storage battery, a control switch for connecting the dynamo-electric machine across the battery, manually operspeed rises above limlt.

3. In a motor vehicle, thecombination of he engine, a storage battery, a control switch for connecting the dynamo-electric machine across the battery, manually operated means for closing said switch, a "ClQVlCG attery, and means responsive to the currentighting circuit for raising said maximum limit and lowering said minimum limit in accordance with the amount of current takenby such lighting circuit.

an internal combustion tak a control switch maximum limit,

In a motor vehicle, the combination of an internal combustion engine, a dynamoelectric machine mechanically connected with the engine, a storage battery, acontrol switch for connecting the dynamo-electric machine across the battery, said control switch having an on position and an ofl' position on each side of such on position, manually operated means for closing said switch from one of said 01f positions, and a device responsive to the speed of the engine for causing said switch to open to the other ofi' position when said engine speed rises above a predetermined maximum limit and to the first off position when said engine speed falls below a predetermined minimum limit.

6. In a motor vehicle, the combination of engine, a dynamoelectric machine mechanically connected with the engine, a storage battery, a control switch for connecting the dynamo-electric machine across the battery, said control switch having an on position and an off position on each side of such on position, manually operated means for closing said switch from one of said otl' positions, and a device responsive to the speed of the engine for causing said switch to open to the other off position when said engine speed rises above a predetermined maximum limit.

7. In combination, a prime mover, a dyname-electric machine mechanically con nected to said prime mover, a storage battery, a lighting circuit supplied from said battery, a control switch for connecting said dynamo-electric machine across said battery, means responsive to the speed of the prime mover for opening said control switch upon a predetermined minimum speed of the en-' gine, and means for varying said predetermined speed in accordance with the current en by said lighting circuit. I

In combination. a prime mover, a dynamo-electric' machine mechanically connected to said engine, a storage battery, a lighting circuit supplied from said battery,

for connecting said dynagal governor responsive to the engine speed hold the switch closed when the engine speed electric machine to said storage battery, :1.

in accordance with the current taken by said lighting circuit.

13. In combination, a variable speed compound-wound dynamo-electric machine, a storage battery, a lighting circuit supplied from said battery, a control switch for conneeting said dynamo-electric machine to and completely disconnecting it from said battery, and means responsive to the speed of the dynamo-electric machine for opening said control switch when such speed exceeds a predetermined value.

14. In combination, a prime mover, a dynamo-electric machine mechanically connected with the prime mover, a storage battery, a control switch which when closed connects the dynamo-electric machine and the storage battery and when open'-completely disconnects said dynamo-electric machine from the storage battery, and means responsive to the speed oi. the prime mover for closing said control switch when said speed is between certain predetermined limits and for opening said control switch when such speed either rises above or falls below I such limits. I

15. In combination, a prime mover, a dynamo-electric machine mechanically connected with the prime mover, a storage batfiery, a unitary control switch having an intermediate closed position and two extreme open positions, said control switch when in closed position connecting the storage battery and the dynamo-electric machine, and means responsive to the speed of the prime mover for closing said switch for intermediate values of such speed and for opening said switch to one or the other of its open positions according as such speed rises above orfalls below certain predetermined limits for saidintermediate speed.

16. In a motor vehicle, the combination 01'. an internal combustion engine, a dynamoelectric machine mechanically connected with the engine, a storage battery, a control switch for connecting the dynamo-electric machine across the battery, manually operated means for closing said switch, and a device responsive to the speed of the engine for causing said switch to open when said engine speed rises above or falls below predetermined maximum and minimum limits, said manually operated means being biased to a position in which it does not interfere with the speed-controlled action of the con trol switch.

17. In a motor vehicle, the combination of an internal combustion engine, a dynamoclectricmachine mechanically connected -with the engine, a storage battery, a control switch for connecting the dynamo-electric 125 machine across the battery, manually operated means for closing said switch, and a" device responsiveto the speed of the engine mo-electric machine across said battery, means responsive to the speed of the prime mover for opening said control switch when such speed exceeds a predetermined value, and means for varying said speed value in accordance with the current taken by said lighting circuit.

9. In a motor vehicle, the combination of an internal. combustion engine, a dynamoelectric'ma'chine mechanically connected to said engine, a storage battery, a control switch for connecting said dynamo-electric machine to said storage battery, a centrifuand controlling the position of said switch to hold the switch losed when the engine speed is within predetermined limits, and manually operated means for closing said control switch independently of the centrifugal governor when the engine speed does not exceed the predetermined minimum.

10. In a motor vehicle, the combination oi an internal combustion engine, a dynamoelcctric .machine mechanically connected to said engine, a storage battery, a control switch for connecting said dynamo-electric machine to said storage battery, a centrifugal governor responsive to the engine speed and controlling the position of said switch to is within predetermined limits, and manually operated means for closing said control switch independently of the centrifugal governor.

11. In a motor vehicle, the combinationof an internal combustion engine, a 'dynamo-electric machine mechanically connected to said engine, a storage battery, a control switch for connecting said dynamocentrifugal governor responsive to the engine speed and controlling the positionof said switch to hold the switch closed when the engine speed is within predetermined limits, manually operated means iior'closing said control switch independently of the centrifugal governor when the engine speed does not exceed the predetermined minimum, a consumption circuit which may be connected to said storage battery, and means responsive to the current taken by said con-, sumption circuit for varying the speed limits between which the centrifugalgovernon holds the control switch closed. 7

12. In combination, a variable speed dynamo-electric machine, a storage battery, a lighting circuit supplied from said battery, a control switch or connecting said dy-. IPA-IUO'GICOtIiC machine to said battery, means responsive to the speed of the dynamo-. electric machine for opening said control switch when such speed exceeds a predeten mined value, and means for varying the speed limit at which said switch is opene circuit for lowerin for causing said switch to open when said engine speed rises above a predetermined maximum limit, sa1d manually operated causing said switch to open when-said speed rises above or falls below predetermined maximum and minimum limits, an electric light circuit supplied from said battery, and means responsive to the current taken by said lighting circuit for raising said maximum limit and lowering said minimum limit upon an increase in the current taken by said lighting circuit.

9. In combination, a variable speed dynamo-electric machine, a storage battery, a control switch for connecting the dynamoelectric machine across the battery, a device responsive to the speed of the dynamo-electric machine for causing when said speed falls below a minimum limit, an electric light circuit supplied from said battery, and means responsive to the current taken by said lighting said minimum limit upon an increase in t e current taken by said ighting circuit.

In combination, a variable speed dynamo-electric machine, a storage battery, a control switch for connecting the dynamoelectric machine across the battery, a device responsive to the speed of ithe'dynamo-electric machine forcau'sing when said speed rises above a predetermined maximum limit, an electric light'circuit supplied from said battery, and means responsive to the current taken by said lighting circuit for raising said maximum limit upon an increase in the current taken by said lighting circuit.

21. In combination, a variable speed dynamo-electric machine, a storage battery, a control switch for connecting the dynamoelectric machine across the battery, said control switch havingan on position and an off position oneach side of such on position and a device responsive to the speedpf the engine for causing said switch to open to the two ofl positions when the speed of said dynamo-electric machine rises above and falls below predetermined maximum and minimum limits respectively.

22. In combination, a variable sp dynamo-electric machine,

eed

a storage battery,-

ch for connecting said dynamoelectric machine to sald storage battery and controlling the position of said switch to hold the switch closed when the engine speed is within predetermined limits.

23. In combination, a variable speed dynamo-electric machine, a storage battery, a control switch for connecting said dynamoelectric machine to said storage battery, a centrifugal governor responsive to the speed of the dynamo-electric machine and controlling the position of the switch tohold predetermined limits, a consumption circuit w iich may be connected to said storage batand means responsive to the current by said consumption circuit for vary ing the speed limits between which the centrifugal governor holds the control switch closed.

24. In a motor vehicle, the combination of an internal combustion engine, a dynamoelectric machine mechanically connected with t e engine, a storage battery, a control switch for connecting the dynamo-elecerio machine across the battery, manually operns for closing said switch, and a a prime mover, a dy- 'namo-electrlc machlne mechanically connected to said prime mover, a storage bata lighting circuit supplied from said battery, a control switch for connecting said dynamo-electric machine across said battery, means responsive to the speed of the prime mover for opening said control switch upon a predetermined maximum speed and also upon a predetermined minimum speed of the engine, and means for varying said predetermined maximum and minimum speeds in accordance with the current taken by said lighting circuit. p i

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand andseal at Indianapolis, this 21st day of November, A. D. one thou sand nine hundred and twelve.

ROBERT H. HASSLER. [L.s.] Witnesses:

ARTHUR M. Hoon, FRANK A. FAHLE.

Indiana, 

